bear hunters

[Guest]

how's the bait's doin? mine are just getting going. I was too busy earlier to bait consistantly. the only problem now is grouse season, lots of people & dogs. hope they hit in daylight.

[deerdragger]

Both of my stations (near Grand Rapids) are getting tore apart each night. I was finally able to get out there yesterday afternoon and had one come in at about 4:30PM. Not a bruiser, but a decent bear. I got a good quartering away shot (using a .44 Mag revolver). 5 hours of tracking later, we ran out of blood. I am bummed beyond words.

[themink]

Hey dragger, i know the feeling, i took my first shot at a bruin last week and was really bummed after finding good blood that led us 300+ yards from my stand, i was shooting a 270, at bout 120 yards, and he was standing, was this a good shot to take? i dont know cuz im new to this, but i guess im gonna just keep on trying

good luck

[Ruttin' Buck]

Hey guys, I've been bear hunting now for 15 years and I have told many people this...a bow shot on a bear will always bleed better than a rifle or shotgun shot.

I took my first bear when I was 13 years old with an old Carols 4x4 compound at about 8 yards. I took him a little far back, in the liver, but he went 120 yards and was done. I took a 300lb'er a couple years ago and threaded the needle by sneaking an arrow in a quartering in situation between the shoulder blade and spine...the bear was 5 yards away and didn't make it 50 more after the arrow was released.

I only say that I prefer the bow over the gun because I have seen many and I mean like a dozen, bear lost to the rifle. Our old crew of 7 bowhunters had many more successes over the 3 guys that were on the hunt with the rifle. My theory is that when bow hunting, you are very close to your target, the trajectory is virtually straight down and the blood that gathers in the cavity of the animal doesn't have to 'fill' much until it starts dripping/spraying. The area the arrow generally exits (underneath) has less fur and fat. The more shallow the trajectory (as in a 120 yard shot) the more the blood has to pool inside the animal, then it has to push through the up to 3-4 inches of fat, and finally soak up the fur to give you a good blood trail. I use a aluminum arrow (less kinetic energy) when bear hunting in hopes that it does not pass through which also helps the blood trail.

Remember, a rifle shot 'bludgeons' through the animal while a broadhead 'cuts'. If you've ever cut your finger with a sharp razorblade you know how much it can bleed. I've seen bowshots on bear with a blood sprayed a foot wide...you could run through the woods down it!

Here's a good story for you. I brought a friend along on a hunt several years ago. He shoots a 7 mil Rem mag, which is a hell of a caliber...I know, it's what I use to rifle hunt deer. He shot a 300lb sow at 4 yards and dropped it in its tracks. However, I went to help him with the drag and while inspecting the animal I noticed there was no exit hole! He hit a bear with a high power rifle at point blank with 180 grain bullet and it never made it out! The bullet had touched off on the top of the should blade and it blew up like a grenade inside. Had that bear took off running, I don't think we would have ever found her.

I realize that bowhunting is not for everyone, but it is a hell of a rush when you have a bruin standing underneath you and you only have arrows to fling.

If you do use a rifle, I would suggest you work to get the trajectory steep. Stay close, stay high, or both. Keep your clothes scent free and don't think you can shoot through a shoulder blade like you have bambi out in front of you.

Hope this helps.

[seamonster1]

I have shot 7 bears and every single one has dropped in it's tracks. The secret is to shot them in the back of the neck. Small target- I know, but if you miss no harm done- if you hit- your bear is DEAD!
I shot a 308 with the same scope I use for deer, at 15yds or less- this shot is never a problem!

[Guest]

I agree about the bow kill's. I've seen massive blood right on the logs at the pit. But gun's are lethal just make sure and pick your shot. Don't think cause you have a rifle you can take an iffy shot. Basically it's the operator not the weapon.

[bass-o-matic]

The guide that I use in Ontario quit taking rifle hunters for this very reason. He too said they lost more bears with gun hunters than bow hunters. Just his experience.

Buckblaster is right. It is a total rush to have a bear (especially a big bear) at close range with nothing but a bow. I've done it 3 years now and have had 4 bears within 12 yards or less, with 3 of them walking right below my tree. Unbelievable, especially since I'm only 8-10 feet up!

[Ruttin' Buck]

I hope I didn't offend you or anyone else Seamonster. I do deer hunt every year with a rifle as well as a bow. Obviously you are very comfortable with your rifle and at taking precise shots...which is great. My opinion, and maybe you would agree, is that until you get that first bear or two out in front of you, and bagged decisions can be made in haste. I have seen too many hunters trying to rush their first bear. I know poor shots get made because the adrenaline gets pumpin'. I've helped guys track that really couldn't remember exactly where the bear was standing when they pulled the trigger. Their mind races so fast when the bruin shows up that everything becomes a blurr. I think you'll agree that having a bear in front of you is a whole different feeling than even having even a nice 10 point showing up.

Having harvested 7 bear, you have the luxury of experience and have learned to relax, take your time, and pick a deadly shot. A person with that much relaxation and focus could make a shot between the eyes without thinking twice. I think the other thing you're doing right is staying close...for 2 reasons. Taking such a precise shot is less time consuming and more lethal. A bullet will lose quite a bit of velocity over a 100 yards and the 'shock value' in a bullet comes from its kinetic energy (E=0.5*m*V^2). Velocity is a squared factor so losing for instance 100fps will reduce the energy substantially.

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"When the hunter is in a tree stand with high moral values and with the proper hunting ethics and richer for the experience, that hunter is 20' closer to God"
-Fred Bear